This week, Clark County Today invites you to weigh in on a crucial question affecting taxpayers in Washington. TriMet has proposed that Washington taxpayers fund 45% of the operating and maintenance costs for light rail—a plan that would total approximately $7 million annually.
The C-TRAN Board is currently reviewing the proposal, which could involve a sales tax increase in Clark County to cover these expenses. The potential impact of this decision has sparked significant discussion, and we want to hear from you!
Our poll question asks:
More info:
Light rail cost and tax increase revelations cause significant concerns for C-TRAN Board
C-TRAN Board raises concerns over TriMet’s demand for Washington taxpayers to cover $7 million in annual light rail costs for the IBR program.
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Also read:
- Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design. - A sub-district vote could be a way to go to pay O&M costs associated with light rail
Clark County Council members heard details on how a voter-approved C-TRAN sub-district could be created to fund long-term operations and maintenance costs for light rail tied to a new Interstate Bridge. - Letter: British Columbia’s new immersed tunnel can solve Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $17.7 billion problem
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel similar to a project underway in British Columbia could significantly reduce costs and impacts associated with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.
This project should be DOA with DOGE.
Now we see the need to have DOGE LOCALLY!
Citizens need to elect local representatives who are committed to wise spending, not wasting $Billions to build, maintain, and operate light rail at all. Citizens have rejected the CTRAN proposition to extend TriMet rail into Clark County, and we need representatives who will honor our multiple votes against Light rail.
Rubber tire buses and vans are flexible in vehicle size and route, can share the road with other vehicles, and are already in place, at a fraction of the cost of light rail.
Clark County voters have voted down light rail multiple times. No light rail. Build additional bridges. If people would stop voting for clueless people it would help get common sense back in play. light rail is a waste of money. Ever wonder why they keep pushing it so hard? You think kick backs are in play?? Stop light rail and the waste of money replacing an existing bridge. Build additional bridges. Plain simple bridges. Vote for people who are not in it for the riches they seem to come into by being in government.